A high school soccer referee in Ohio was hospitalized with a collapsed lung and broken ribs after a player ran into him during a playoff game. The incident occurred Tuesday night during a match between New Philadelphia and Steubenville.
The confrontation began when a Steubenville player received a red card and approached the referee, reportedly saying something to the official. In response, another Steubenville player charged at the referee, colliding with him and knocking him to the ground before attempting to flee the scene.
The injured referee was taken to the hospital for treatment. The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) confirmed the referee was "doing better."
"The OHSAA is aware of the incident and has been in communication with the school," said Tim Stried, OHSAA's director of communications. "The OHSAA is waiting for a response from the school as to the discipline that the school will take against the student-athlete, which will determine if the OHSAA will issue additional penalties. The school has indicated that punishment will be significant, which the OHSAA agrees with. Physical violence against an official is among the most serious offenses that a coach, player or fan can commit and the OHSAA will pursue this to the fullest extent.”
New Philadelphia won the game by a score of 2-1.